Expressing 'only' with '만' — Korean Grammar

The particle (man) functions like the English word only. It is a suffix attached directly to the end of a noun, pronoun, or number to indicate exclusivity or limitation. It implies that other options are excluded.

Replacing Subject and Object Particles

When you attach (man) to a word that is the subject or the object of the sentence, it replaces the standard particles. You must drop the subject particles (i/kai/gai/kai/ka) and the object particles (ŭl/rŭleul/reulŭl/rŭlul/lul) before adding (man).

저는 물만 마셔요.
chŏ·nŭn mul·man ma·syŏ·yo.jeo·neun mul·man ma·syeo·yo.chŏ·nŭn mul·man ma·syŏ·yo.ce·nun mul·man ma·sye·yo.
I drink only water.
지수만 왔어요.
chi·su·man wass·ŏ·yo.ji·su·man wass·eo·yo.chi·su·man wass·ŏ·yo.ci·su·man wass·e·yo.
Only Jisoo came.
오늘만 시간이 있어요.
o·nŭl·man si·gan·i iss·ŏ·yo.o·neul·man si·gan·i iss·eo·yo.o·nŭl·man si·gan·i iss·ŏ·yo.o·nul·man si·kan·i iss·e·yo.
I have time only today.

Combining with Other Particles

Unlike subject and object particles, which (man) replaces, particles that indicate location, time, or recipients (such as (eeeey), (e·sŏe·seoe·sŏey·se), (e·gee·gee·geey·key), or (kka·jigga·jikka·jikka·ci)) are usually kept. In these cases, (man) is added after the existing particle to make the meaning more specific.

학교에서만 공부해요.
hak·gyo·e·sŏ·man gong·bu·hæ·yo.hak·gyo·e·seo·man gong·bu·hae·yo.hak·gyo·e·sŏ·man gong·bu·hae·yo.hak·kyo·ey·se·man kong·pu·hay·yo.
I study only at school.
저한테만 주세요.
chŏ·han·tʰe·man ju·se·yo.jeo·han·te·man ju·se·yo.chŏ·han·t'e·man ju·se·yo.ce·han·they·man cu·sey·yo.
Please give it only to me.
서울에만 갔어요.
sŏ·ur·e·man gass·ŏ·yo.seo·ur·e·man gass·eo·yo.sŏ·ur·e·man gass·ŏ·yo.se·ur·ey·man kass·e·yo.
I went only to Seoul.

Using with Numbers and Requests

When used with numbers or counters, (man) adds the nuance of "just" or "minimum," often softening a request. It suggests that the amount mentioned is small or the only thing needed.

십 분만 기다려 주세요.
sip bun·man gi·da·ryŏ ju·se·yo.sip bun·man gi·da·ryeo ju·se·yo.sip bun·man gi·da·ryŏ ju·se·yo.sip pun·man ki·ta·lye cu·sey·yo.
Please wait just ten minutes.
하나만 샀어요.
ha·na·man sass·ŏ·yo.ha·na·man sass·eo·yo.ha·na·man sass·ŏ·yo.ha·na·man sass·e·yo.
I bought just one.
한 번만 봐 주세요.
han bŏn·man bwa ju·se·yo.han beon·man bwa ju·se·yo.han bŏn·man bwa ju·se·yo.han pen·man pwa cu·sey·yo.
Please overlook it just this once.

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